Final paper
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LiteraryThemes-BraveNewWorld-Copy.pptxBrave New World Literary Themes
Themes to Consider:
Commodification
Freedom
Limits of Science
Mass production
Individuality
Power dynamics
Determinism/Free Will
Individual vs. Society
Identity Crisis
Loneliness
Immorality
Love & Sacrifice
Second Self vs. Doubling
The body itself has various sorts of “others” that echo and complement it.
Sometimes our speech can be more revealing than our conscious thoughts. Consider how people say, “broken up” “going to pieces” “Pull yourself together” “get a grip” “out of his mind” “beside himself” all of these are indications to, or allude to the division or existence of other selves.
Second Self vs. Doubling Cont.
Inner self: frequently suggests a twofoldness which is purely internal.
Double: often times implies a duplication of identity.
Second Self: helps us understand the difference of the self by allowing us to have a distinct first self.
Second Self vs. Doubling Cont.
When there is a second self:
The first self is on the foreground of the reader’s attention. He or she is the one that the reader tries to connect to. The second self is usually conscious of the first self’s existence. The reader usually interprets the second self as the intruder and tends to remain half-shadowed. The motivations of the second self tend to be ambiguous.
Second Self vs. Doubling Cont.
Ego is the lens through which you experience physical reality.
The superego reflects the internalization of cultural rules, mainly taught by parents applying their guidance and influence.
Id: is the unorganized part of the personality structure that contains a human's basic, instinctual drives. Id is the only component of personality that is present from birth.
Eco criticism (This is a literary theory, not a literary theme.)
Eco criticism: the application of ecology and ecological concepts to the study of literature.
Essentially it is the study of literature and the physical environment and or nature in order to raise awareness of human interaction with the natural world.
When they say nature scholars mean: the environment before it was impacted by technology- the land its flora, its waterways, living creature, the ecosystem etc..
How does the text depict character interacting with nature? What argument is constructed as a result of this interaction or lack of interaction?
Feminist Criticism (This is a literary theory, not a literary theme.)
Feminist Criticism: the application of a feminist lens onto a study of literature.
This school of thought studies the ways in which women are depicted or their lack of depiction in a text. How is their representation connected to patriarchal threads of power? This theory considers the objectification and subordination of women. This also studies stereotypical depictions of women and their impact on the reader.
Feminist criticism focuses on gender identity. This criticism resists the idea that men are superior to women and considers social conditioning as a the tool used to maintain power over women through patriarchal systems.
Feminist Criticism (This is a literary theory, not a literary theme.)
Feminist criticism focuses on gender identity.
This criticism resists the idea that men are superior to women and considers social conditioning as a the tool used to maintain power over women.
Liminal Space
Liminal Space : is the quality of ambiguity or disorientation that occurs in the middle stage of rituals, when participants no longer hold their pre-ritual status but have not yet begun the transition to the status they will hold when the ritual is complete.
Being in a liminal space is being stuck in a transitional space.
Paralysis
Paralysis is when characters are hindered by attachments to archaic ideals.
Paralysis is manifested through physical, social, and mental mediums.
Paralysis cont.
The paralyzed character: is one who struggles to let go of archaic and limiting ideals which hinder his or her ability to reach fulfillment and actualization. Most frequently, reaching fulfillment rests on his or her ability to find genuine and reciprocated love.
The mobile character: is able to break away from paralysis and pursue his or her passions. The flight from paralysis must be ideological and physical.
Becoming Mobile
How can a paralyzed character become mobile?
1.In order to denounce society’s attempts at paralyzing the subject there must be an awareness of the paralyzing elements.
2. This vital element of awareness comes to characters through the form of epiphanies. (Prior to their moment of enlightenment these characters are usually portrayed as confused or uncertain. Although they may not always be aware that they are muddled.)
3. Then there must be a willingness to commit to the sacrifices necessary to break ties with paralyzing society.
Panopticon
“The major effect of the Panopticon is to induce in the inmate a state of conscious and permanent visibility that assures the automatic functioning of power.”
-Foucault
Jeremy Bentham
Michel Foucault “Discipline and Punish”
Panopticon
Image of a library
More themes to consider…
Silence
Manhood
Entrapment
Sanity/ Madness
Innocence / Loss of innocence
Betrayal
Womanhood/Motherhood
